Hodgson hails Welsh Widnes stars after win over Wakefield

Widnes assistant coach Brett Hodgson was very pleased with the performance of two Welsh Vikings at the weekend.

Prop Gil Dudson and hooker Lloyd White both turned in impressive displays for the Chemics, with White helping himself to four tries in the 58-16 home win over Wakefield.

Dudson was making his debut for the Vikings following his close-season move from Wigan, and his two spells on the pitch impressed Hodgson.

“He’s a good character, he’s great to have around the place, the boys love him,” said the Australian.

“You saw with a couple of touches what’s evident in his game and how good he could be for us.

“He’ll build on that this week hopefully. The first game is always a little bit rusty.

“His second stint was better than his first one, which will hopefully lead into the Huddersfield game with him improving again.”

Hodgson also acknowledged just how special it was for White to score four tries in one game.

“It’s rare for any player on the field, but he deserved it,” he said.

“He’s been training really well. He had an unfortunate elbow injury in preseason and missed the first couple of games.

“But he’s big for us, him and Aaron Heremaia working together is key for us.

“I think the really good sides in the competition have good number 9s, so we can be right up there.”

As for the thrashing of Wakefield, the Vikings coaching staff were more pleased with the team’s performance rather than the impressive scoreline.

“The performance pleased us mostly, not so much the scoreline,” Hodgson explained.

“I don’t think anyone can expect to put such a scoreline on any team in this competition.

“The way we started the game, the control we had, our halves, hooker and full-back were excellent in their energy and their ambition to drive us forward.

“The big fellas really laid the platform for that speed of play-the-ball, which was very pleasing.

“We’re happy with how we went, but we’re not patting ourselves on the back too much.

“We’ve got another big performance ahead of us this weekend against Huddersfield.

“You enjoy it for the moment for the team, but then you get down to business again, which we have to do on a short turnaround.

“The boys will have probably only two field sessions this week to try and fix up a couple of the things that we looked at from the game at the weekend, and put together what we want to achieve against Huddersfield.”

Widnes travel across the Pennines to face Huddersfield Giants on Friday, and Hodgson is expecting a tough test at the club where he used to ply his trade as a player.

“It’s probably our biggest game of the year so far,” he said.

“They’re a very good side, they’re coached well.

“They’re playing with a lack of confidence at the moment, but when they click, it’s going to be a tough night, so we’ve got to combat that.

“They were the better side at times against Wigan and Leeds, and unfortunately for them didn’t get the points.

“It’s important for us to make sure that we start the game well, and combat some of their big men.

“We need to look after Brough’s kicking game, and make sure we go in with the right attitude, which e can’t question so far this season – the attitude’s been great.

“We’re excited, we’re confident going into the game, but know that a big performance is needed.”